Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield has become the first casualty of the Republican gerrymandering scheme, announcing today that she will not seek re-election to her newly-drawn district.
Full press release below the fold.
State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield has announced her plans to become the new Executive Director of GreenLaw, a Georgia environmental advocacy organization, dedicated to clean air and clean water. Benfield will begin her new position at the conclusion of this year’s legislative session.
An outdoors enthusiast and nature lover, Rep. Benfield has been a vocal environmental advocate during her 14 years as a member of the Georgia House’s Natural Resources Committee. Her commitment to clean water and clean air issues grew even stronger after her son was diagnosed with asthma.
“When I learned that my son has asthma, it really hit home that pollution can hurt our most vulnerable citizens, our children,” said Benfield. “For the past 20 years, GreenLaw has been a leader in protecting Georgians from pollution, and I am excited to be able to focus my attention on cleaning up our air and water for our families.”
Rep. Benfield received both an undergraduate and law degree from the University of Georgia. She graduated Cum Laude from UGA law school in 1992. Among her notable achievements while in office are: earning the Outstanding Lawyer in Public Service Award by the Atlanta Bar Association, being named one of “40 under 40” promising Georgians by Georgia Trend magazine as well as one of “16 Attorneys to Watch” by the Fulton County Daily Report. She was also awarded the Environmental Leadership Award by the Georgia Conservation Voters and the Georgia Urban Forest Council Award for Promoting Arbor Day in public schools.
Rep. Benfield will be finishing out her legislative term. She will not, however, seek re-election to the Georgia General Assembly in order to focus her full-time energies leading GreenLaw.
In addition to continuing the effort to stop pollution from two other proposed coal plants in south Georgia, GreenLaw represents nonprofit clients around the state to help enforce laws that protect nature. GreenLaw is representing Ogeechee Riverkeeper in an effort to stop pollution following the state’s largest fish kill on the south Georgia River. Attorneys at GreenLaw are also working to ensure that pollution from landfills and scrap tire dumps don’t negatively affect community health in the metro-Atlanta area.
“I look forward to working with the skilled attorneys at GreenLaw to continue to give our environment its day in court,” said Rep. Benfield. “Whether the pollution is from landfills, careless industries, or dirty coal, it’s high time that we clear the air and clean the water in Georgia so our children can live healthy, productive lives,” Benfield said.
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GreenLaw is dedicated to preventing air and water pollution that endangers human health and degrades Georgia’s natural resources. GreenLaw achieves these goals by providing free high quality legal and technical assistance to environmental organizations and community groups throughout Georgia. www.greenlaw.org
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield currently represents House District 85, which includes neighborhoods in metro-Atlanta. In the Georgia Legislature, Stephanie serves on the following House Committees: Banks & Banking, Judiciary, and Natural Resources. A bio and resume are available at GreenLaw’s website: www.greenlaw.org.
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